CR
Cryospheric Sciences

ocean circulation

The fragile connection of the Ocean and the Cryosphere – a story from the past

March 24, 2022
The fragile connection of the Ocean and the Cryosphere – a story from the past
The primordial Earth. [Credit: Simone Marchi/SwRI]

Compared to the formation and evolution of the Earth’s surface, the ancient oceans receive little attention in geological history. However, understanding the rise and fall of the oceans of the past—or “ghost oceans”—can reveal crucial information about the evolution of our planet, the cryosphere included. Can oceans play a historical role in climate change? If water bodies had not existed, would w ...[Read More]

Water Masses “For Dummies”

September 14, 2016
Water Masses “For Dummies”

Polar surface water, circumpolar deep water, dense shelf water, North Atlantic deep water, Antarctic bottom water… These names pop in most discussions about the ice-ocean interaction and how this will change in a warming climate, but what do they refer to? In our second “For Dummies” article, we shall give you a brief introduction to the concept of “water mass”, explain how to differentiate water ...[Read More]